APRIL / MAY 2026
What does a federal Liberal majority mean for Canada’s rental housing industry? By Tony Irwin, President and CEO, RHC A majority government would bring more policy certainty. For the rental housing industry, that matters because purpose-built rental projects are planned, financed, and built over many years. The sector needs a stable policy environment to make long-term decisions. In practical terms, a majority government is better placed to move from announcements to implementation. It reduces the risk that key housing measures are delayed or weakened by political instability. Political stability is generally helpful for investor confidence because it reduces policy risk. Investors are more likely to commit capital when they believe government policy will be consistent and durable. That said, stability by itself will not unlock investment. Capital will still flow to projects that are financially viable. Governments also need to address the core issues affecting feasibility, including development charges, taxes, construction costs, approval timelines, and access to financing. The policies most likely to move first are the ones the government has already signalled and can advance through the budget or existing programs. That would likely include development charge relief, tax measures for purpose-built rental, changes to federal financing programs, and continued work on Build Canada Homes. From our perspective, the key near-term measures are clear: lower development charges, make the accelerated capital cost allowance permanent, move ahead with a modernized MURB incentive, and improve the way CMHC programs work for rental housing providers. Those are practical measures that could make a real difference. The next budget will be important because it will show whether the government is focused on the real barriers to new supply. We will be looking closely at three areas: cost relief, tax policy, and financing. More specifically, we will be watching for meaningful action on development charges, long-term tax measures that improve project viability, and clear direction to make CMHC programs more accessible, more predictable, and better suited to rental housing development.
rentalhousingbusiness.ca | 35